The iconic Overland train service will remain on the tracks for a further three years, after receiving funding from the Victorian Government.
Running from Adelaide to Melbourne for 133 years, the future of the service was put in jeopardy after the South Australian Government failed to provide $330,000 of funding in 2018.
Victorian minister for public transport Ben Carroll said the Victorian Government will now provide $3.8 million over the next three years to keep the train service going until at least July, 2023.
Deputy leader in the legislative council Clare Scriven said she was pleased to see that the South Australian Labor Party's 'Save the Overland' campaign was successful.
Mount Gambier born and raised, she mentioned that is was important that regional people don't lose any of the few transport options that they have.
"I have spoken to people who can't use the bus, and who can't drive long distances, because of disability, or because they are older," she said.
"Once we lose a service, we are unlikely to ever get it back."
Ms Scriven stated that is was "disappointing" that the state government, and Member for MacKillop Nick McBride, didn't care enough about regional people to reinstate the funding they cut.
"When Labor was in government, we provided funding of $1 million over three years to continue running services," she said.
"That agreement included Great Southern Rail agreeing to consolidate operational and office staff from other states to its head office in Adelaide, and committed to supporting local contractors for maintenance, capital and operational works."
As part of that agreement, Great Southern Rail also spent $100,000 each year promoting South Australia as a tourism destination.
Ms Scriven said Bordertown and Murray Bridge will now have certainty that they will have access to rail services for the next three years.
"And, if Labor is elected in 2022, we have committed to working with the Victorian Government and Journey Beyond to ensure the long-term future of this service," Ms Scriven said.
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride has been contacted for comment.
Taylor Harvey
Taylor is the lone journalist at the Border Chronicle, which serves as a news medium for residents of the Tatiara. This is his first job in the field after completing his study at the University of Adelaide.
Taylor is the lone journalist at the Border Chronicle, which serves as a news medium for residents of the Tatiara. This is his first job in the field after completing his study at the University of Adelaide.
